Girder brace for outdoor signs



June 6, 1944'. w. F. VERNON 2,350,433

GIRDER BRACE FOR OUTDOOR SIGNS Filed Jan. 21, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented June 6, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,350,433

.GIRDER BRACE FOR oo'rnooa SIGNS William F. Vernon, Newton, Iowa 7 Application January 21, 1941, Serial No. 375,243

3 Claims. (01. 40-145) This invention relates to signs such as used for outdoor advertising and particularly to metal signs of this type. Even the casual observer is impressed with the-fact that mounting methods for such signs are very faulty, as indicated by the bent, awry,- and misshapen signs seen along the roadway. Experienced sign people recognize that the problems presented in mounting metal signs are diverse and complicated. Besides all the variable and diflicult conditions encountered, there is always'the problem of capable mechanics and the economic cost limits.

It is the particular object'of this invention to provide a braced metal sign that can be shipped or transported in fiat condition and quickly and efiectively assembled and mounted by ordinary mechanics on variable sized posts to provide a rigidly secured and braced sign of low cost.

Other objects and benefits will be disclosed by the following descriptions and drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a back perspective view of my sign supported from the rear of a square post by my truss brace.

Fig. 2 is a similar view to Fig. 1 except the sign is mounted on a round post.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of a metal sign mounted on a round post of larger than standard V diameter causing a convex face sign mounting.

Fig. 4 is a similar view to Fig. 3 except the sign is mounted on a smaller than ordinary sign post causing a concave sign mounting.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a double face sign employing 4 truss braces.

Now referring to the drawings- I designate my truss brace by the numeral Hi. It is mounted on a post H by securing means such as nails through holes I3. The face member of the sign I5 is attached to they post II by nails l6 as shown in Figs. 3 and 4 and is braced as a girder through the truss brace ID by attachment means through the holes l2 and Id.

The parts are designed for mounting on posts of approximately 4 inches square, or 4 inches thick but by my construction I provide means whereby considerable variation in post size is permissible and still efiective results are attained. In order to accomplish this it will be noted that my brace member Ill is a channel section having a substantially wide web and narrow flanges. The channel section is cut away in the center to provide a wide, flexible, flat central section and similar flat sections on the ends. The flanges of the channel 2!] are cut angularly at the ends 22 and 23 in order to substantially support the back of the face member and thus effectively support it against destructive vibration. The inner ends of the flanges 24 and 25 are cut squarely at right angles to the web and when bent around either a square or round post, as illustrated, these inner corners of the legs bend inward and bite into the post to eiiectivel'y secure thebrace in position on the post This structure is very effective in providing means whereby even indifferent mechanics can securely mount my sign in position on variable size posts. The braces are shipped and transported flat and with the face section of the sign flatthis permits compact packing. The brace I0 is usually bolted to the face I5 through the holes l2 and then bent angularly outward to pass over the post. The web of the brace l6 being substantially wide efiectively lines up the brace with the face member and when the mechanic pries the members apart he places the partially assembled sign around the post then supports it by nails through the holes l6 and then hammers the brace l0 securely around the post and attaches the other ends through the holes l4. Whether the post is larger or smaller than standard, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the corners of the legs 24 and 25 effectively bite into the post and firmly secure the wholeassembly in fixed position. This method of assembly is permitted by the relatively flexible center and end sections of the brace as will readily be appreciated by consideration of the drawings.

Although I have described a preferred channel section brace, similar results may be obtained from ribbed sections with the ribs ending in abrupt orpierced thru edges adjacent the center section and tapering at th opposite ends.

When the center section of the brace is securely set around the rear of the post it is nailed into position through the holes l3 and by consideration of Figs. 3 and 4 it will be appreciated that re gardless of whether the post is larger or smaller than standard the face or girder member of the sign is securely held in trussed position either straight, convex, or concave by the brace member II).

New referring to Fig. 5, 1 illustrate double face sign and show brace members In in staggered opposite relationship to each other supporting the double sign faces [5 and I5. Although I provide a relatively stiff truss brace, the center section of the brace is quit thin and it will be appreciatecl that no diificulty is encountered in mounting the double face sign because this thin center section does not appreciably disturb the relative relationships of the face and brace members. It will further be appreciated that I can use my girder brace on larger signs with double or triple posts and with single or double face signs.

From. the foregoing description it will be appreciated that Ihave provided a truss braced construction for metal signs which may be mounted onposts of variable diameters either single, double or triple posts, or single or double faced signs. The construction is such that even the ordinary mechanic willefiectively and securely mount the signs under variable conditions. The brace and fac section being shipped in flat, compact forms, I thereby provide an eflective sign easily and economically transported and mounted by ordinary 'mechanics.

Having thus described my invention, I now claim l.'In a metal sign for attachment on a wooden post, a metal face section having a series of mounting holes, a single flat channel brace having mated mounting holes, the channel havinga substantial broad Web. and-short flanges, central and end thin flat sections in the channel brace, the proportion and arrangement providing means to mount the sign on a woodenpost with the face section rigidly supported by the channel girder brace from the back of the post and then bent forward manually and attached to the face section with edge portions of the flanges of the channel biting into the wooden post.

2. In a metal sign for attachment on a wooden post, a. metal face section having a series of mounting holes, a single flat ribbed brace having mated mounting holes, the brace having a substantial broad web and short flanges, central and end thin flat sections in the brace, the proportion and arrangement providing means to mount the sign on a wooden post with the face section rigidly supported by the flanged truss brace from the back of the post and then bent forward manually and attached to the face section with the flange edge portions of the channel anchored into the wooden post.

3. In a metal sign for attachment on various sizes of wooden posts, a thin flexible metal face section having a series of mounting holes, a flat part-channel section brace having mating mounting holes, the channel having a relatively wide web and short flanges, a thin flat relatively flexi- 1ble rectangular central section, perforations in said sections for fastening means on the post,

relatively rigid channel sections extending longitudinally in both directions from said central section, including longitudinal flange portions, said flange portions ending in angularbiting edges adjacent thecentral portion and angularly tapered edges at their opposite ends, thin flat relatively flexible end sections adjoining the rigid sections and mating perforations for the face section in th end sections, the arrangement permitting the truss brace to, be shipped as a flat member and then bent manually for mounting on various sizes of posts with the metal face section bent bowlike with the angular biting edges of the truss brace flanges engaging the various sizes of wooden posts to rigidly support the face.

WILLIAM F. VERNON. 

